Download MP3 Podcast | Open Player in New Window

Just past midnight on October 12, 1998, Matt Shepard died from a vicious anti-gay attack at the hands of confessed homophobe Aaron McKinney and his accomplice Russell Henderson. Matt’s death opened the world’s eyes to the hate and inequality the LGBT community struggles against to this very day. Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine is a powerful feature documentary about the gay young man who was tortured and murdered in one of the most notorious hate crimes in U.S. history. Directed by Michele Josue, a close friend of Shepard’s, the film revisits the shocking case with never-before-seen photos, rare video footage, and new revelations about Shepard’s all-too-brief life. Director / Producer Michele Josue and her husband, Producer Liam McNiff join us for a conversation on Matt’s life, Matt’s friends and the remarkable journey of his parents, Judy and Dennis Shepard.

For news and updates go to: mattshepardisafriendofmine.com

“Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine seeks to restore Shepard’s humanity to his name, to tell the story of the person who was murdered for being who he was. “ – John Darnielle, Slate

“The film is enough to prompt soul-searching among parents, educators and the LGBT community on how to provide adequate guidance and support for LGBT youths.” – Martin Tsai, Los Angeles Times

“This heartbreaking documentary should be shown in every high school and college – and everywhere intolerance is suspected.” Graham Fuller, New York Daily News

“This film doesn’t just revisit an atrocity, it moves through it, and finds meaning in it.” – Matt Zoller Seitz, RogerEbert.com

 

Download MP3 Podcast | Open Player in New Window

The FBI was unaccountable and untouchable until 1971, when a group of ordinary citizens uncovered its illegal domestic spying programs. On March 8, 1971, The Citizens’ Commission to Investigate the FBI, as they called themselves, broke into a small FBI office in Media, Pennsylvania, took every file, and shared them with the American public.
 These actions exposed COINTELPRO, the FBI’s illegal surveillance program that involved the intimidation of law-abiding Americans and helped lead to the country’s first Congressional investigation of U.S. intelligence agencies.
 Never caught, forty-three years later, these everyday Americans – parents, teachers and citizens – publicly reveal themselves for the first time and share their story in the documentary “1971.” Given the recent disclosures of NSA spying, this story could not be more relevant.

“1971” debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival 2014 and recently won the ABCNews VideoSource Award at the 30th Annual IDA Documentary Awards.

For news and updates on “1971” go to: 1971film.com

“Reaction to the film at Tribeca has been effusive, both from audiences and critics. At the first screening…the thunderous ovations for the…subjects of the film were extraordinary.” – Forbes

“1971 crafts a thrilling lesson about how authoritarianism can be curbed, sometimes, by one simple and well-targeted blow.” – PopMatters



“Their story is both a cat-and-mouse thriller, told in well-handled reenactments, and an examination of the abuses of government power that could hardly be timelier.” – The Wrap

WINNER AT IDA DOCUMENTARY AWARDS!


WINNER OF THE “SPOTLIGHT AWARD” AT CINEMA EYE HONORS!